Republicans block a vote on the Defense Authorization Bill and refuse to allow consideration of the rights of servicewomen seeking abortion care – with their own funds; the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, allowing gay military members the right to live openly and freely while serving this country; and the DREAM Act which allows young immigrants a pathway towards citizenship by going to college or joining the American military.

Surrounded by senators dripping with condescension, Judge Sotomayor responded with respect, nuance and a solid grounding in the law – to the point where the hearings sometimes felt like a high school civics class.